Kimachi Stone, Japanese Garden Rock

The first manual for the Japanese garden, the Sakuteiki, describes the creation of gardens as: Ishi wo taten koto (石を立てん事). This translates to placing stones upright, which strongly emphasizes the important role of these elements within the Japanese garden.

The correct application of garden stones, Niwaishi (庭石) in Japanese, forms the basis of practically every Japanese garden. The placement of stones and rocks is almost always determined first, after which the garden is shaped together with all the surrounding elements. Because of this, stones and rocks are also known as the Kikotsu (気骨), or backbone, of the Japanese garden.

An authentic Japanese garden should mimic a certain natural essence. Stones and rocks are a significant part of this principle since they concern pure elements, coming directly from nature.

Kimachi stone is an authentic type of Japanese sandstone that originates from Kimachi near Lake Shinji in the city of Matsue, Shimane Prefecture. The type has a rough texture and is highly absorbent, making it easy for plants such as moss to grow on it. The stone is known for its use in Izumo lanterns, named after the neighboring city of Matsue where they are made, Izumo.